I read a story of a meeting of some of the wealthiest businesspeople in the United States in 1923. Among them were a Wall Street tycoon, a significant stockholder in the steel industry, and a head of a manufacturing monopoly. At the time, this group of men controlled more wealth than the United States Treasury.
But by 1948, two of those businessmen had committed suicide, two others had served time for embezzlement and misconduct, and another died $300 thousand in debt. Even though the world viewed those men as successful, wealthy, and wise, their lives ended in moral, financial, and personal bankruptcy. Money can’t buy happiness.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Only time will tell”? Time doesn’t just pass. Time reveals what is essential, valuable, and worthy of our daily thoughts and efforts like a magnifying glass. No matter who we are, our days are all numbered. Therefore, each day offers a God-given opportunity to plunge in, participate, and develop our character by His grace for the time He has determined.
Ponder these words from Scripture:
“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!” (Psalm 39:4 ESV)
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12 ESV)
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” (Proverbs 27:1 ESV)
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV)
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:13-14 NIV)
What would a magnifying glass in your life reveal? What is your focus? Fame? Wealth? Popularity? Success? Power? Health? All these things come and go, but your most significant investment is knowing and loving God and loving others. Jesus says:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39)
So let me ask you: are you living in each moment? Are you focusing on the things of God, or are you just focusing on the
things of self while waiting for the moments to pass?
Only God knows the days we have on earth. This day could be our last. How do we want to be remembered? What is important to us, and does it show how we spend your time? Are we loving God and loving other people?
My prayer for us, FBC, is to embrace the wealth of moments we have by investing them in the things that matter to God. Let’s strive to do this for God’s glory, our good, and for the sake of the world!
-Pastor Wade